It looks like one rationale for a new downtown Birmingham ballpark — attracting economic development — is already coming to fruition, as several developers negotiate land deals in the immediate area. The new home of the Birmingham Barons (Class AA; Southern League) has already attracted one sale of land to a developer, with several other […]
Tag Archives | negro leagues
Birmingham: Design of new ballpark still evolving
Though final demolition plans for a new Birmingham Barons (Class AA; Southern League) ballpark site are now set, the final design of Regions Field won’t be presented for approval until April. This means the pretty renderings we’ve been showing from HKS are conceptual at this point. But that’s OK: readers of this site seem to […]
In memoriam: Bill Mardo
Bill Mardo, the crusading Daily Worker sports editor who helped force Major League Baseball to integrate with Negro Leagues players, has passed away. He was 88. Mardo died of complications from Parkinson’s disease. From his position as sports editor and columnist with The Daily Worker, Mardo led the call to bring African-Americans to Major League […]
Demolition planned for Birmingham ballpark site
A demolition plan has been filed for the proposed site of a new Birmingham Barons (Class AA; Southern League) ballpark, with the Birmingham Design Review Committee slated to review on Wednesday. The current plan for the Railroad Park site, according to the Birmingham News, is to leave the current B&A Warehouse nightclub complex intact but […]
Satchel Paige, Bismarck and Lawrence-Dumont Stadium
The Bismarck (N.D.) Park Board is debating whether to rename Bismarck Municipal Ballpark, the city’s home to baseball since 1921, after the legendary Satchel Paige. The story behind the request is a fascinating chapter in baseball. Leroy Robert “Satchel” Paige, one of the greatest pitchers in baseball history, had quite the storied career: the greatest […]
Barons ballpark plan moves forward, adds Negro Leagues museum to mix
Birmingham Mayor William Bell wants to put the framework of a proposed Birmingham Barons (Class AA; Southern League) ballpark to a vote tomorrow — something unlikely to happen — and has restored a Negro Leagues museum to the project. The ballpark plan has moved forward by fits and starts since first proposed by Bell; ironically, […]
Hinchliffe Stadium up for $500K preservation grant
Historic Hinchliffe Stadium, once home to the New York Black Yankees and the New York Cubans of the Negro Leagues, has been nominated for a $500,000 preservation grant by New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, the first crucial step in the award process. The nomination comes after the Paterson City Council voted to move forward with […]
The Rickwood Classic and baseball in America
Carrying the weight of 100 years of baseball history — never mind the 100 years of social and civil-rights history as well — is an awfully heavy load for any ballpark. But Birmingham’s Rickwood Field was equal to the task during the 15th annual Rickwood Classic Wednesday, as fans celebrated the upcoming 100th anniversary of […]